The 3rd edition of the Eco Challenge , an online "Serious Game" competition targeted at pre-college youth, aims to create a context for learning about integrated water resources management (IWRM) through an ecosystem approach. IWRM is a process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. The game – Aqua Republica , developed by UNEP-DHI Center , is designed to help players cultivate self-directed learning skills and develop domain-specific knowledge as well as the ability to transfer conceptual knowledge to new situations. Players get to exercise independence in setting goals and making decisions as well as how to achieve the game’s objective within a given framework. The UNEP-DHI Center is a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) dedicated to improving the ma
DIGGING UP THE BEST OF SERIOUS GAMES & SIMULATIONS MARKET AND EXPLORING THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF GAME-BASED LEARNING